Universal joint.



C. C., H. E. & M. E. BLOOD. kUNIVERSAL JOINT. A-PPLIOATION FILED JAN.25,1910. RENBWED sEPT.z,1s12.

l B,044.784, Patented Nov. 19, 1912.

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Witnesses.'

'UNITED sTArEs PATENT OEEIOE.

CLARENCE C. BLOOD, HOWARD E. BLOOD, AND MAURICE E. BLOOD, OF KALAMZOO.

` MICHIGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.l

Patented Nov. 19, 1912.

Application'led January 25, 1910, Serial No. 540,091. Renewed September 28, 1912. Serial No. 722,978.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that we, CLARENCE C. BLOOD, HOWARD E. BLOOD, and MAURICE BLOOD, citizens of the United States, residing at the cityv of Kalamazoo, county of Kalamazoo,

State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Universal Third, to provide an improved universal joint in which the bearing parts are effectively lubricated.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from thev detailed description to follow.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The structure described constitutes one effective embodi ment of our invention. @ther embodiments would be readily devised by those skilled in the art. l y.

Ihe invention isclearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure constitutmg an effective and preferred embodiment O f the features ofour invention is clearly illustrated in the. accom- `panying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation of a structure embodying the features of our invention, with parts shown inthe central longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is a transverse section/taken on a line corresponding to linev 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal 'section through the shaftI member 2, and the shell 3, ytaken on a line'corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the shaft member 2, with the bearing blocks 4 assembled therein.

Fig. 5 lis a rear perspective view of one of the bearing blocks .4. Fig.l 6 is a rear view of-'fone of the journal bearing blocks 5 showing the arrangement of the lubricating groove or passage therein.

1n the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are4 taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines. Y

Referring to the drawing, 1-1 represent the shafts to-be coupled and 6 the coupling shaft, the structure illustrated having two.'

of our improved joints therein. The description of one of these joints will suffice,

as they are preferably duplicates. 0n the shaft 6 is a shaft member 7 having transversely disposed journals 8. Bearings 5 are provided for these journals. These journal bearings 5 are supported in bearing blocks 1 carried by the shaft member 2. The shaft member 2 is preferably cylindrical in liorm, as illustrated, and provided withlongitudinal slot-like openings 2', adapted to receive the bearing Kblocks 4. These blocks 4 have rib-like ianges 14 adapted to engage the edges of these slots, as clearly appears in Fig. 2. The bearing blocks vl are retained or secured inrposition by the shell-like member 8, which /is also preferably cylindrical in form and adapted to closely fit the shaft member 2 and the bearing blocks 4, the bearing blocks l being provided with portions of the same curvature as the member 2. The shell-like member 3 coacts with the member 2 in providing a casing for the parts, well as serving as a clamping member for securing them in position.

The blocks l are provided with curved longitudinal bearing seats 17 for the bearings 5, the bearings 5 having surfaces correspondingly curved so that they move freely in the bearing seats 17. The inner faces 4of the member 5 are bearing surfaces adapted to coact with the thrust bearing surfaces 18 .on the member 7. The Openings in the bearings 5 for the journals preferably eX- tend entirely through the bearings 5 to permit effective lubrication. The members 5 are preferably provided with longitudinal grooves 19 for the passageof the lubricant.

The bearing blocks '4 are preferably provided with transversely disposed passages 20, opening into the bearing seat17, so that as the coupling is revolved the lubricant is carried into the bearings.. Toexclude dust and prevent the escape ofthe lubricant, we

preferably provide a casing 9 of flexible material which is secured at one end of the flange 21 about the shaft opening in the shell 3, the casing being preferably secured by wire l0, as shown in the drawings. The

`other end of this casing is secured by means ranged in the groove.

The shell is secured in position in the structure illustrated. by providing the member 2 with spiral grooves 13, adapted to receive the lugs 12 on the shell, so that the shell may be slipped upon the shaft member 2 and turned to bring theflugs into engagement with these grooves and clamped into position. To accommodate the lugs l2 the bearing blocks 4 are preferably cut away at 15 and 16, (see Fig. 4). With the parts thus formed they can' be readily assembled without the aid of screws, bolts or the like. The bearings are firmly supported.

The members 2 and 3" are preferably formed as stated, toprovide a casing for the parts and serve as a lubricant receptacle o r retainer, so that the bearing can be lubricated by introducing the lubricant through the opening 24, and as the bearing parts within the casing are all exposedto the lubricant in the interior,- very effective lubrication is secured.

Our improved bearing is comparatively` simple in form and easily produced and as sembled; also, 1t 1s arranged so that it is not subjected to excessive strain or wear. The

.wearing parts are, however, readily renewed should occasion require. l A

We have lllustrated our lmprovement in one form in which we have embodied thev same, as we find that form to be satisfac tory. We desire to remark, in this'con;

nection, that we employ the shell or casing feature here shown in connection with other i quite satisfactory; We are, however, aware that our improvement-s are capable of considerable variation in structural details without departing from ourinvention, and we desire to be understood as claiming the same specifically in the form illustrated,vas well as broadly within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is; s

1. In a sha-ft coupling, the combination with a shaft member provided with transversely disposed journals; bearing members for said journals, having longitudinally curved bearing surfaces on their outer sides, said bea-ring surfaces having longitudinal grooves therein, the journal openings in said bearing members being extended entirely therethrough and the journals being provided with thrust bearing surfaces to engage the inner faces of the said journal bearing members; bearing blocks for said journal bearings, having longitudinally curved groove-like bearing seats therein, and

transversely disposed lubricant passagesy opening into said seats; a shaft member havlng openings therein, adapted to receive said bearing blocks, said bearing blocks being provided with supporting flanges; and a shell adapted to embrace said shaft member and co-acting therewith to retain the parts in position and to provide a casing therefor, said shell being provided with a shaft opening in its outer end having an outwardly projecting flange about 'the same, and a flexible casing secured to the said flange.

2. In a shaft coupling, the combination with a shaft member provided with transversely disposed journals; bearing members for said journals, having longitudinally curved bearing surfaces o n their outer sides, said bearing surfaces having longitudinal grooves therein, the journal openings in said bearing members beingV extended entirely therethrough and the journals beingprovided wit-h thrust bearing surfaces to engage the inner faces of the said journal journal bearings, having longitudinally curved groove-like bearing seats therein,and transversely disposed lubricant passages opening into said seats; a shaft member having openings therein, adapted to receive a member adapted to embrace said shaft member and coasting therewith to retain the parts in position.

3. In a shaft coupling, the combination with a shaft member provided with transversely disposed journals; bearing members for said journals, having longitudinally curved bearing surfaces on their outer sides; bearing blocks for said journal bearing members, having longitudinally curved groovelike bearing seats therein; a shaft member having o enings therein, adapted to receive said bearing blocks, said bearing blocks being provided With`supporting flanges; and a shell adapted' to embrace said shaft member and co-a'cting therewith to retain the 'parts in position and to provide a. casing therefor, said shell being provided with a shaft opening in its outer end having an outwardly projecting flange about the same, and a ex'ble casing secured to the said bearing members; bearing blocks for said said bearing blocks, said bearing blocks bev ving provided with supporting flanges; and

4f. In a shaft coupling, the combination with a shaft member provided with transversely disposed journals; bearing members for said journals, having longitudinally curved bearing surfaces on their outer sides; bearing blocks for said journal bearing members, having longitudinally curved groovedike bearing seats therein; a shaft member having openingstherein, adapted to receive said bearing blocks, said bearing blocks being provided with supporting flanges; and a member adapted to embrace said shaft member and co-acting therewith flanges; and a member adapted to embrace said shaft member and co-acting therewith to retain the parts in position.

6. In a Ashaft coupling, the combination with a shaft member provided with transvesely disposed journals; bearing members yfor 'said journals; bearing blocks for said journal bearing members; a cylindrical shaft member having openings therein, adapted to receive said bearing blocks, said bearing blocks being'provided with sup-y porting flanges at each edge; and a cylindrical shell adapted to embrace said shaft member and bearing blocks, and c'o-actingv v to retain the parts in posit-ion and to provide a casing therefor, the said shaft member being provided with an annular Hange having a groove therein adapted to receive the end of said shell and with spiral grooves, said shell being provided withlugs said shaft'member and bearing blocks, andadapted to be engaged in said spiral grooves whereby said shell is secured in position.

7.- In a shaft coupling, the combination with a shaft member provided vwith trans'- versely disposed journals; bearing members for Asaid journals; bearing blocks for said journal bearing members; a shaft member having openings therein, adapted to receive said bearing blocks, said bearing blocks being provided with supporting flanges at each edge; and a shell adapted to embrace co-acting to retain the partsin position and to provide a casing therefor.

8. In a shaft coupling, the combination with a shaft member provided with transversely-disposed journals; bearing members for said journals; bearing blocks for said journal bearing members; a shaft member having openings therein, adapted to receive said bearing blocks, said bearing blocks being provided with supporting flanges at each edge; and a member adapted to embrace said shaft member and bearing blocks, and (zo-acting to retain 1he parts in position.

9..In a shaft coupling, the combination with a shaft member provided with transverselydisposed journals bearing members for saidA journals having longitudinallycurved bearing surfaces on their outer sides; bearing blocks for said journal bearing members having curved bearing seats therein for said journal bearing members; a shaft member having openings therein adapted to receive said bearing blocks, said bearing blocks and shaft member being provided with coacting portions for limiting the inward movement of said bearing blocks; and a member adapted to embrace said shaft membergand bearing blocks and coacting with said shaft member to retain the blocks in position.

10. A shaft coupling comprising a cylindrical shaft member; bearing blocks, said shaft member being provided with openings adapted to receive said bearing blocks; a shaft member having journals therein; journal bearing members coacting with said bearing blocks; and a removable shell adapted to embrace said first named shaft member and coacting therewith to form a casing, said shell being detachably secured to said shaft member.

11. In a shaft coupling, the combination with a 'shaft member provided with transversely-disposed journals; bearing members for said journals; bearing blocks for said journal bearing members; a shaft member having. openings therein, adapted to receive said bearing blocks; and a removable shell adapted to embrace said shaft member and vbearing blocks, and coacting to retain the parts in position and to provide a casing therefor.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE C. BLooD. [1.. a] HOWARD E. BLooD. s [a s] MAURICE E. BLooD. [a a] Witnesses:

F. GERTRUDE TALLMAN, LUELLA G. GREENFIELD. 

